Yes, you can generally take Rennies with lansoprazole. Rennies is an antacid that neutralises stomach acid, while lansoprazole reduces the amount of acid your stomach produces. If you need an antacid while taking lansoprazole, leave at least 2 hours between the two medicines. Antacids can reduce how much lansoprazole your body absorbs.
For adults in the UK who use or are considering lansoprazole, this guide explains what PPIs are, the main PPIs available in the UK, how acid reflux can be managed, which medicine combinations need extra care, and how to access treatment through an online consultation.
Treatment suitability depends on your individual circumstances. Your prescriber will review your medicines and medical history before deciding whether treatment is suitable.
What Is a PPI Medication?
A PPI, or proton pump inhibitor, is a type of medicine that reduces stomach acid production. It does this by blocking the proton pumps involved in making acid in the stomach.
This is different from an antacid, which neutralises acid that is already present. It also works differently from an H2 receptor antagonist, such as famotidine, which reduces acid production through another pathway.
PPIs are used to treat conditions such as GORD, some types of heartburn and indigestion, stomach and duodenal ulcers, and as part of combination treatment for H. pylori infection.
List of PPI Drugs: What Medications Are PPIs?
| PPI (generic name) | UK brand name |
|---|---|
| Omeprazole | Losec, Losec MUPS |
| Esomeprazole | Nexium |
| Lansoprazole | Zoton FasTab |
| Pantoprazole | Protium |
| Rabeprazole | Pariet |
These are the five main PPIs used in UK practice. Some PPI products are available without a prescription, while others are prescription only. The length of self treatment depends on the individual product, so follow the instructions on the packet and speak to a pharmacist or doctor if your symptoms continue.
All PPIs reduce stomach acid in a similar way, but they are not identical in how they interact with other medicines. For example, omeprazole and esomeprazole have a more significant interaction with clopidogrel than some other PPIs.
How to Treat Acid Reflux: An Overview
There is not one treatment that works for everyone with acid reflux. PPIs can be an important part of treatment, but lifestyle changes and other medicines may also help.
Eating smaller meals, identifying your individual food and drink triggers, and avoiding meals close to bedtime may help reduce GORD symptoms. If you are overweight, losing weight may also help. Avoiding lying down soon after eating and raising the head of your bed can be useful for some people.
For mild or occasional symptoms, an antacid or alginate such as Gaviscon may provide short term relief. When symptoms are more frequent or troublesome, a PPI may be prescribed to reduce stomach acid for longer.
H2 receptor antagonists such as famotidine may also be considered in some circumstances, particularly when a PPI is not suitable or symptoms are not fully controlled. The right option depends on the individual situation.
Acid Reflux Pump Inhibitors: How They Work
PPIs are sometimes described as acid reflux pump inhibitors. They work by blocking the final stage of stomach acid production, reducing the amount of acid your stomach makes.
They do not usually provide the same quick relief as an antacid. Some people start to feel better within 2 to 3 days, although symptoms can take longer to settle.
Because PPIs reduce stomach acidity, they can also affect how some medicines are absorbed. This does not mean that every medicine needs to be separated from a PPI. The interaction depends on the specific medicine, so your pharmacist or prescriber can check your combination.
Proton Pump Inhibitors: Contraindications, Side Effects and Key Interactions
Some medicines should not be taken with certain PPIs, while others can be used together with monitoring or a different PPI. It is important to tell your prescriber or pharmacist about everything you take, including over the counter medicines, vitamins and supplements.
- Rilpivirine: PPI treatment is contraindicated with oral rilpivirine because increasing stomach pH can significantly reduce rilpivirine absorption. The medicines should not be used together.
- Clopidogrel: omeprazole and esomeprazole should be avoided with clopidogrel because they can reduce the activation of clopidogrel. If a PPI is needed, lansoprazole, pantoprazole or rabeprazole are generally preferred.
- Warfarin: PPIs can interact with warfarin in some circumstances. If you take warfarin, tell your prescriber or pharmacist before starting or stopping a PPI. Monitoring may be needed depending on your circumstances.
- Antifungal medicines: some antifungals, including itraconazole, need an acidic stomach environment for adequate absorption. A PPI can affect this, so check with a pharmacist or prescriber before taking them together.
- Iron supplements: reducing stomach acid can affect the absorption of some oral iron products. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber if you are taking an iron supplement with a PPI.
There are other possible interactions, including with some HIV medicines, digoxin, methotrexate, tacrolimus and certain other medicines. The exact interaction depends on the PPI and the medicine involved.
How Long After Taking Pantoprazole Can I Take Other Medications?
There is no single waiting time that applies to every medicine taken with pantoprazole.
Many medicines can be taken without a specific time gap, while some combinations need different timing, monitoring or an alternative medicine. The correct advice depends on the medicine you are taking.
If you are unsure, ask a pharmacist or prescriber to check your specific combination rather than using a general waiting period.
Can You Take Rennies With Lansoprazole?
Yes, Rennies and lansoprazole can generally be used together when appropriate. Rennies is an antacid that works by neutralising acid already in the stomach, while lansoprazole reduces acid production.
Antacids can reduce how much lansoprazole your body absorbs. NHS guidance recommends taking an antacid at least 2 hours before or after your lansoprazole dose.
Rennies can also affect the absorption of some other medicines, including certain antibiotics and iron products, so spacing may be needed for those medicines too.
If you find that you need Rennies frequently while taking lansoprazole, speak to your pharmacist or prescriber. Frequent breakthrough symptoms may mean that your current treatment needs reviewing.
If you have kidney disease or other kidney problems, ask a pharmacist or doctor before using Rennies regularly.
Can You Take Lansoprazole and Omeprazole Together?
Taking two PPIs, such as lansoprazole and omeprazole, together is not standard treatment. They work in a similar way, so taking both does not automatically provide additional benefit.
If your current PPI is not controlling your symptoms, your prescriber can review your dose, how you are taking the medicine, whether another PPI would be appropriate, or whether your symptoms need further investigation.
Lansoprazole is usually taken at least 30 minutes before food because food can reduce how much of the medicine gets into your system. The instructions can differ between PPIs and formulations, so follow the directions for your specific medicine.
Do not add a second PPI yourself. Speak to your prescriber if your current treatment is not working well enough.
Can You Take a PPI and H2 Receptor Antagonist Together?
Sometimes, but this is not a routine combination for everyone.
PPIs and H2 receptor antagonists such as famotidine reduce stomach acid in different ways. In some cases, a prescriber may consider an H2 receptor antagonist alongside a PPI, particularly for persistent or night time symptoms.
However, H2 receptor antagonists can become less effective when used continuously. This is known as tachyphylaxis. NICE guidance notes that an H2 receptor antagonist may help some people with night time symptoms that continue despite PPI treatment, but the benefit can reduce over time.
If you are still having regular symptoms despite a PPI, speak to your prescriber rather than adding famotidine yourself.
When to Consider an Alternative to a PPI
If you take a medicine that interacts with a particular PPI, your prescriber may recommend a different PPI or another type of treatment.
For example, if you take clopidogrel and need a PPI, omeprazole and esomeprazole are generally avoided, while lansoprazole, pantoprazole or rabeprazole may be preferred.
Other medicines can also affect or be affected by PPIs. If an interaction is a concern, give your prescriber or pharmacist a complete list of your medicines so they can check the specific combination.
An H2 receptor antagonist such as famotidine may be considered in some circumstances, but whether it is suitable depends on your symptoms and medical history.
Available Treatment Options
EverydayMeds stocks omeprazole 20mg capsules and Losec MUPS 20mg tablets, alongside lansoprazole 15mg capsules and orodispersible tablets, pantoprazole, esomeprazole and rabeprazole.
Famotidine is an H2 receptor antagonist that works differently from a PPI and may be considered when a PPI is not suitable or when another approach to acid suppression is needed.
The most suitable medicine depends on your symptoms, medical history and any other medicines you take.
How to Get a PPI Through EverydayMeds
Getting a PPI through EverydayMeds starts with a short online questionnaire about your symptoms and current medicines. A UK registered prescriber reviews the information and checks for relevant interactions before deciding whether treatment is suitable.
The prescriber can also consider which PPI may be appropriate based on your individual circumstances. Treatment is subject to a clinical assessment, so a particular medicine or treatment outcome cannot be guaranteed.
